‘Geographer’ Big Winner at Russian Academy Awards

The festival favorite from director Aleksandr Veledinskiy took best film, best director and both lead acting honors at Russia's Nika Awards.

Last year's festival favorite The Geographer Drank His Globe Away from from director Aleksandr Veledinskiy was the big winner at this year's Russian Film Academy Awards, winning best film, best director and honors for best actor and actress, respectively, for stars KonstantinKhabensky and YelenaLyadova.

The drama about the life of a provincial high school teacher (Khabensky) also won best score for composer AlexeiZubarev at Russia's equivalent to the Oscars, called the Nikas.

The Geographer has been a favorite on the festival circuit, taking top honors at Russia's Kinotavr festival last summer. It has done less well at the box office, earning just $4.2 million.

Theatrical returns were likely hit in part due to the film being released simultaneously online on a legal VOD service, though Geographer producers pulled the title off the net after Russian cinema owners complained.

At the Nikas,however, the small budget Geographer beat out 3D blockbuster Stalingrad from director FyodorBondarchuk. The WWII drama earned seven Nika nominations -- and an astounding $52 million box-office take -- but only won in technical categories, winning for best sound, best production design and best costume design.